Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 117 · 40 questions

Writer's tip (Problem → solution): First find the problem. Then find the part where the problem is fixed — usually the sentence just before the ending. The solution must fix THIS problem; a fix for something else does not count.

1. 1.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. Tara asked Mr Nair, the gardener, what was wrong. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced. (a) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. Dev was scared, but he told the librarian the truth. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself. (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (a) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. Tanmay could not reach it with his arm or a stick. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. (a) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (a) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (a) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. Priya hid behind a bush and saw a monkey, Bholu, take one. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan. (a) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (a) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The shoes are swapped back
11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. Diya held out a biscuit and spoke softly to it. The puppy crept out and licked her hand. Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The box is found under the last seat
14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. Nisha recalled the rhyme Mrs Sen had taught her. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen. (a) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. Maria thought hard and moved further up the sand. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset. (a) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (a) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! Riya laughed and asked politely if it could be fixed. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (a) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! Riya laughed and asked politely if it could be fixed. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (a) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (a) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. Kiara made a bright sign that said “Fresh Cookies!” Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund. (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. He found that he had left his homework at home. Aryan told Ms Gill the truth before she even asked. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again. (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Homework is left at home
30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A board held up blocks the wind
31. 31.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. Ayaan ran home and told Maa what had happened. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (a) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The box is found under the last seat
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. Vihaan stayed calm and went to a lady in uniform. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The torn page is mended with tape
35. 35.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! Neel did not panic and looked at the names inside. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. Neel ran in the right shoes and came second. (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The shoes are swapped back
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
38. 38.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea. (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) The torn page is mended with tape

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